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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Saved by the Pit Crew ... Our View: Campaign money train has left the station ... Prosecution: Father tried to arrange assault on babysitter ... Saved by the Pit Crew ... Our View: Campaign money train has left the station ... Prosecution: Father tried to arrange assault on babysitter ... Billie Joe Hunter Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 28, 2014 at 2:00 AM Posted Sep. 28, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Social News Billie Joe Hunter, 88, was taken home by his Lord and Savior on September 18, 2014. He was born near Admire, Kans., and at the age of 14 his family moved to Oregon and resided in the Thompson Creek area. He graduated from Grants Pass High School and joined the Navy where he served for three years at the end of World War II. His family ran a small saw mill on Thompson Creek, and in the early 50's, they purchased property in Ruch, Ore. and built the Hunter and Best Saw Mill. Due to the economy in the late 50's, the Saw Mill closed and they ventured into farming and ranching. On January 19, 1951 he married Joan Adams in a simple ceremony in the Manse of the old Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville. They set up housekeeping on Thompson Creek, but soon moved to Ruch near the Mill property, where they resided the remainder of their married life. He loved the Lord Jesus Christ and accepted him as his Lord and Savior in 1952. They first attended Provolt Community Church where they both were youth group leaders. After the Ruch Community Bible Church was established, they decided to attend church closer to home and continued to lead the youth group there for many years. Billie Joe later became a deacon and then an elder. His focus over the years was to see the people in his community know Jesus Christ and to come to the Lord. Many local residents have commented that Billie Joe was the hardest working man they ever knew. His commitment to farming expanded not only to the physical aspects but also his good stewardship to the crops and animals he raised. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Joan Hunter. He is survived by their three children, Debbie (Dusty) Hoffman, Daniel (Laura Dee) Hunter, and Tim (Janet) Hunter; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Viola (Dean) Lewis, and brother, Raymond (Edie) Ayers both from Medford, Ore. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 11, 2014 at Ruch Community Bible Church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Medford Gospel Mission 125 W. Jackson, Medford, OR. 97501. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Sep. 28, 2014 at 2:00 AM You may leave your condolences or share memories by signing the Guest Book here » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501